"Rabbit Ears"-Favorite Old Time TV Shows Quiz

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Return with us now to those golden days of yesteryear... Clayton Moore played The Lone Ranger in 169 episodes, while John Hart was the masked rider of the plains on 52 shows (1952-53). Along with his faithful Indian companion, Tonto (Jay Silverheels), the Lone Ranger rode the West daunting the deeds of devilish desperados. The show was on the tube from 1949-1957, after a run on the radio with Brace Beamer in the title role for the final 13 years. The theme music for this oater, is a famous work by an equally famous composer. Which of the following is the correct one?

Answer: "William Tell Overture"

"The William Tell Overture" was composed by Gioachino Rossini in 1829.
Most people these days think of it simply as the theme song for "The Lone Ranger", which is likely causing Rossini to spin in his grave.
The character of "The Lone Ranger" was based on the yarn that he had been the sole survivor of group of six Texas Rangers, massacred by a murderous gang led by Butch Cavendish. Ranger Reid (first name never revealed) was badly injured when he was found and saved by the aforementioned Tonto.
The masked man was known for his signature use of silver bullets, as well as his signature yell, "Hi-Ho Silver" as he rode away on his swift steed as each
episode concluded.

"Flight of the Bumblebee" was composed by Nickoli Rimski-Korsakov (1899-1900).
"Ride of the Valkyries" which is about a full eight minutes long, was written between 1851-1856 by Richard Wagner.
"I'll be there for You" was the bouncy theme song for the long running weekly comedy show, "Friends" (1994-2004).

BTW: Scottish comedian Billy Connolly once famously stated: "My definition of an intellectual is someone who can listen to the William Tell Overture without thinking of the Lone Ranger".

2. One of the most popular TV sitcoms ever, "I Love Lucy" starred Lucille Ball as the ditzy redheaded show-biz wannabe Lucy Ricardo. She was married to Ricky, a bandleader, portrayed by her real life husband Desi Arnaz. Each week millions tuned in to follow the antics of the couple who resided in a Big Apple brownstone apartment. What were the names of the couple who were Lucy and Desi's best friends as well as their landlords?

Answer: Fred And Ethel Mertz

William Frawley was the cantankerous Fred, while Vivian Vance played Ethel.
"I Love Lucy" ran from 1951-1957, and was the most viewed program in four of those years, while garnering five Emmy Awards.
Ms. Ball collected Emmys for Best Comedienne in 1953, and for Best Actress in 1956, Vivian Vance took the honor of Best Supporting Actress for the 1954 season, and "I Love Lucy" took the Emmy for Best Sitcom in 1953 and 1954.

In 2012 "People Magazine" named "I Love Lucy" as the best TV show of all time.
"I Love Lucy" became the initial program to be inducted into The TV Hall of Fame (1990).

BTW: Dave and Carole Landrum are my F.T. teammates on Dream Weavers. :-)

3. "Perry Mason" starred Canadian actor Raymond Burr as an (almost) unbeatable Los Angeles criminal defense attorney. The show was based on the novels of Erle Stanley Gardner, and aired from 1957-1966. William Talman played Mason's nemesis, prosecutor Hamilton Burger who (almost) never met a case he couldn't lose. Over the 271 episodes he managed to defeat Mason just one time. One of the most popular members of the ensemble cast was played by Barbara Hale in the role of Mason's secretary. Step outside a moment... what was her name?

Answer: Della Street

Barbara Hale was born in DeKalb, IL on April 18, 1922. She had a movie career that spanned 35 years (1943-1978), and included more than three dozen flicks. Her best remembered performance was the title role in "Lorna Doone" (1951).
Ms. Hale's portrayal of the pretty, perky Della Street won her an Emmy in 1959. She later went on to play her signature role in over 20 "Perry Mason" Hollywood films.
Barbara Hale was awarded a star on The Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1960.

4. "Faster than a speeding bullet! More powerful than a locomotive! Able to leap tall buildings at a single bound"! ("Look! Up in the sky!" "It's a bird!" "It's a plane!" "It's Superman!") Thus began each episode of "The Adventures of Superman", who was just about every kid's hero back in the day (1952-1958). A visitor from the planet "Krypton", he fought a never ending battle with Lex Luthor and other miscreants in the Earthly town of Metropolis. When not performing his mighty powers, Superman spent his day job (not very well) disguised as a mild mannered reporter for "The Daily Planet". What name would appear in his articles byline?

Answer: Clark Kent

George Reeves was the caped crusader/Clark Kent. Lois Lane was played by Noel Neill in seven of the eight seasons (Phyllis Coates had that role in the first year). Ms. Lane was a bright journalist, who had a not so secret crush on Mr. Kent and suspected he was the savior of Metropolis. Jack Larson portrayed the cub reporter and photographer Jimmy Olson. The hard boiled editor, Perry White was played by John Hamilton.
Before taking his signature role of Superman, George Reeves appeared in more than 50 Hollywood films. One of his earliest ones was that of Ms. Scarlett O'Hara's beau Stuart Templeton, in a 1939 film you may have heard of titled "Gone with the Wind" (1939).
Mr. Reeves died under mysterious circumstances from a gunshot in 1959, at the age of 45.

5. "American Bandstand" was THE show to watch daily for teenagers starting in the early 1950's. The show began as "Bandstand" in 1952 with host Bob Horn. Dick Clark took over the hosting duties in 1956, and continued doing so until 1988. During its heyday in the '50's the show featured teenagers dancin' away to the top Rock & Roll hits of the time. Many famous musical stars also appeared live and in person at the studio in an important town from American history where the show was performed. Which city hosted American bandstand from 1956-1964?

Answer: Philadelphia, PA

Philadelphia, nicknamed "The City of Brotherly Love" was founded in 1682 by William Penn. It served as the capitol of the United States from 1790-1800, and is the largest city in Pennsylvania. Philadelphia is home to many universities as well as the rabid sports fans of The Eagles, Flyers, Phillies and 76ers. (not to mention the world famous Philly Cheese Steak Sandwiches)!
Clark, helped jump start and promote the careers of many now well known singers who performed in the studio of WFIL. Included in that group were The Everly Brothers, Chuck Berry, Sonny and Cher, Fats Domino, Connie Francis, Buddy Holly and Bill Hailey. (Freddie "Boom Boom" Cannon holds the record with 110 appearances).
After its run in Philadelphia, "American Bandstand" moved to Los Angeles in 1964.

Dick Clark who became known by the moniker of "America's Oldest Teenager" passed away in 2012 at the age of 82.

BTW: On June 9, 1869, Charles Hires sold the first bottle of his now famous Hires Root Beer in his Philadelphia pharmacy.

6. *Baritone announcer: "This is the city, Los Angeles, California". That was the the lead in for every episode of "Dragnet". Jack Webb proudly wore badge 714 as Sgt. Joe Friday of the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD). He was partnered for the run of the eight seasons, (276 episodes) with Officer Frank Smith played by Ben Alexander. A doggedly, determined detective, Friday was a no-nonsense lawman who tried to clear cases with as little obfuscation as possible. When asking suspects, victims, or witnesses for information, he had a distinctive line he often spoke. What was Friday's famous catch phrase?

Answer: "Just the facts ma'am."

Dum da dum, dum... "Dragnet" debuted on the radio in 1949, and made the transition to TV in 1951. The show continued running in glorious B&W thru 1959.
During that final season, Sergeant Friday had become Lieutenant Friday, and when Jack Webb passed away in 1982, the LAPD permanently retired his badge number 714. He was also given a funeral service befitting an LAPD Detective. Webb who was married for six years to singer/ actress Julie London, also appeared in over a dozen Hollywood films including "Sunset Boulevard" (1950), "Pete Kelly's Blues" (1955), and "The D.I." (1957).

From IMDB: In 2006, TV Land included the line "This is the city..." on its "The 100 Greatest TV Quotes and Catch Phrases" special.

*BTW: The narrator of each show's opening was none other than George Fenneman, who for many years was the foil and announcer on "The Groucho Marx Show".

7. "One of these days, Alice, POW right in the kisser", was one of many idle threats made by Ralph Kramden, the burly, bombastic Brooklyn bus driver on "The Honeymooners". His diatribes were usually directed at his long suffering wife, Alice (Audrey Meadows), who gave back as well as she took. Her wildly popular tubby hubby was played by Jackie Gleason in the famous 39 episodes, which aired in 1955-1956. "Ralphie Boy" was a neer-do-well with Walter Mitty-like dreams of cashing in on one of his madcap get rich schemes along with his best pal Ed Norton. Norton, along with Kramden also worked for the city. What position did he hold?

Answer: He was a sewer worker

The great Art Carney played Norton, who chose to be referred to as a "subterranean engineer". Ralph and Alice, Norton and his spouse, Trixie (Joyce Randolph) had many visions of grandeur go up in smoke. The end of many episodes showed a contrite Ralph telling Alice, "Baby, you're the greatest".
A few of their neighbors in their walk-up at 328 Chauncey St. were such characters as Mrs. Manicotti, Carlos, the mambo dancer/teacher, and of course the heartless landlord Mr. Johnson.
BTW: If any of you fans of the show have forgotten who wrote "Swanee River", it was Steven Foster, not "hum-ana, hum-ana, Ed Norton"? :-)

8. "The Jack Benny Program" saw a wide cast of actors/characters over its 15 year TV run (1950-1965). Among them were Dennis Day, Phil Harris, Mel Blanc and Sheldon Leonard. Mary Livingston was not only another star, but she was the real life wife of the great Jack Benny himself. On the show, Benny had a loyal, somewhat irreverent valet named Rochester. Who was the gravelly-voiced actor who portrayed him?

Answer: Eddie Anderson

Rochester van Jones was Edmund Lincoln Anderson's most famous role, as he appeared in all 260 episodes of The Jack Benny Program. He was born in Oakland, CA to a show biz family. His pop was a minstrel performer, and believe it or not, his mom was a tightrope walker. Eddie helped the show garner seven Emmy Awards. He attributes his distinctive voice to the days when he was trying to out-yell other sidewalk newspaper vendors as a youngster.
Eddie Anderson also racked up over 60 Hollywood film acting jobs, including the role of "Uncle Peter" in "Gone with the Wind" (1939).
Anderson passed away at the age of 71 on February 28, 1977.

Benjamin Kubelsky better known by his sobriquet Jack Benny, died in 1974 at the age of 74, not 39...WELL!

9. "Father Knows Best" was a feel-good family sitcom which aired from 1954-1960. The show, which originated on radio, (1949-1950) starred Robert Young as Jim Anderson. He was the epitome of "the perfect dad", always dispensing wise advice and sage guidance to his family. In addition to his wife, he had two daughters and one son. What was the occupation of the family patriarch?

Answer: insurance agent

Jim Anderson was employed by General Insurance Company as a salesman/manager.
His wife, Margaret (Jane Wyatt) was often heard saying "father knows best", when a family issue needed to be settled. His eldest daughter Betty ("Princess"), was played by Elinor Donohue, while Lauren Chapin portrayed her younger sister Kathy ("Kitten"). Billy Gray took on the role of Jim Jr. ("Bud"). Robert Young was the only cast member from the radio show to make the transition when "Father Knows Best" moved to the tube. The show won six Prime Time Emmys, and in 2004, "TV Guide" named "Jim Anderson" as number six of the Top 50 Greatest TV Dads of all time.
Robert Young who would later go on to star as "Marcus Welby, M.D" (1969-1976), earned three stars on The Hollywood Walk of Fame.

10. How about another western"? Perhaps the most popular shoot-em-ups of them all, "Gunsmoke" enjoyed a 20 year TV run (1955-1975). Over that time "Gunsmoke" won five Emmy Awards, and was the number one ranked show from 1957-1961. Each week millions tuned in to watch the goings on during the early days of The Old West. In which rough and tumble frontier town was Marshall Matt Dillon the lawman in charge of keeping the peace?

Answer: Dodge City, KS

"Gunsmoke" was set in Dodge City, Ford County, KS during the 1870's.
Marshall Dillon (James Arness) was the imposing 6'5" sheriff, a man of principal and, when needed, ready to mete out frontier justice to any varmint who needed it. He along with "Miss Kitty" (Amanda Blake),and "Doc Adams" (Milburn Stone) lured viewers back to the dusty roads of Dodge City each week. Miss Kitty ran the local drinking establishment, "The Long Branch Saloon". She had an unrequited relationship with the good sheriff, somewhere between friendship and romance. They never did hook up however, and in fact Miss Kitty was nowhere to be seen during the show's final season.
James Arness was the only actor to appear in every one of the 635 episodes.

In 1993 "TV Guide" named "Gunsmoke" as the Best Western series ever.

Source: Author paulmallon

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor ladymacb29 before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.

Now we watch Hi-Def, 3D and 4K programs on various networks and platforms (including our phones)! In the early days of TV we were lucky to get five channels, all in glorious B&W. Here are some shows from "the good old days". Let's see how many you recall

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